Programme Specialist (Social and Human Sciences)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : SHS 165

Grade : P-4

Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Social and Human Sciences

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 20-JAN-2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate cross cultural mutual understanding. The Organization comprises 194 Member States and 12 Associate Members and employs over 2,300 staff members from 170+ nationalities at its Headquarters and 54 field offices worldwide.

This position is located in UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS), which strives to accomplish a fundamental humanist mission by enhancing efforts against violence, racism and discrimination, combatting gender stereotypes, deploying the power of sports for social inclusion, promoting intercultural dialogue and supporting youth, women and people with disabilities. SHS collaborates with Member States to protect scientists and trust in science through UNESCO's 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers, and enhance the science-policy nexus via the Management of Social Transformation (MOST) Programme. 

SHS also focuses on fostering inclusive societies and ensuring the ethical development of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), in line with UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. This global standard aims to leverage the positive impact of AI while addressing its inherent risks. Getting AI governance right is one of the most consequential challenges of our time, and countries around the world are now in the process of implementing the Recommendation, with UNESCO supporting them through various capacity-building efforts.

The incumbent will work under the  overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences (ADG/SHS),  the guidance of the Director for Social Policies (SHS/SOP), and under the direct supervision of the Chief of Section (SHS/SOP/MOST), the incumbent supports the effective implementation of UNESCO’s Management of Social Transformations and Foresight (MOST) programme, focused on major trends affecting societies (inequalities, environmental, digital, demography-migration) and promoting policies that foster inclusive societies. She/he also ensures state-of-the-art analytical contributions to the areas that are covered by the MOST programme. 

The incumbent will work in the framework of the UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (C/4s), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5), the MOST Comprehensive Strategy 2022-2029, and global development plans such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

In particular he/she will be responsible for the following:

• Contribute to the implementation of the MOST Comprehensive Strategy 2022-2029, engaging with Member States in knowledge production and promotion to inform policies to address the current socio-economic challenges. 
• Establish a network and maintain links with leading institutions and experts within the pillars and thematic priorities of the MOST programme;
• Lead the MOST Section’s work related to the science-policy nexus by supporting the coordination and development of research and knowledge products and activities, including advancing MOST’s thought leadership programme, the MOST Forum, and the Albert Hirschmann Lectures, aimed at positioning UNESCO as the place for innovative thinking social transformations and their implications. 
• Work with UNESCO’s field offices for the implementation of MOST Schools.
• Advance MOST’s mandate in relation to monitoring, analyzing, providing technical assistance, promoting outreach and communication, conducting consultations with Member States and other stakeholders, and preparing consolidated reports for UNESCO’s Executive Board and General Conference.
• Contribute to the management of the Social and Human Sciences Sector’s relationship with outside partners for the MOST Programme.
• Advance the humanities work stream; 
• Design and contribute to the communication and outreach strategy to reach global, regional, and national levels. This includes the preparation of policy briefs and dissemination-related material, including communication plans and associated material.

• Support the Secretariat in relation to Most’s Intergovernmental Council (IGC) and the meetings of its Bureau and the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), based on the Statutes and Rules of Procedure of MOST, and document and maintain the digital and shared institutional memory of the MOST programme.
• Foster links with policy-makers and establish support networks for MOST in Member States.
• Prepare proposals for the mobilization of funds to support projects and supervise the design, implementation and assessment of related projects linked to the MOST agenda.
• Lead and coordinate programme planning, budgeting, commissioning and contracting, activity implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting for activities under the MOST strategy; mobilize resources for programmes and projects and coordinate funding initiatives; prepare briefings, statements, reports for formal reporting as required. 
• Maintain a close link with leading institutions with a close mandate to that of MOST; ensure that Most produces state-of-the-art analysis in the social and human sciences areas.
• Perform any other relevant duties that may be required by the senior management of the Sector.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education 

• Advanced university degree at least at the Master’s or equivalent level, in the field of social and human sciences including economics, public policy, management, sociology or other related fields.

Work Experience

• At least 7 years of progressive professional experience relevant to social sciences research, social or economic policies, social transformation or related areas, of which preferably 3 years acquired at the international level.
• Experience in designing, implementing, and coordinating strategies and programmes, including related to capacity-building in the area of social and human sciences.
• Proven track record in fund-raising and other resource mobilization mechanisms.

Skills and competencies 

• Expertise in socio-economic policies and particularly major trends affecting societies (inequalities, environmental, digital, demographic) and/or promoting inclusive societies.
• Recognized scientific research, publication, writing and critical thinking competencies. 
• Experience producing rigorous high quality research (quantitative and/or qualitative).
• Proven ability in programme management, including the monitoring and reporting of programme activities and related financial and substantive aspects. 
• Leadership experience, including the ability to manage and motivate staff and teams and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment. 
• Capacity to build and maintain effective working relations with national and international authorities, academic and non-government institutions, intergovernmental organizations, including through networking. 
• Knowledge of the UNESCO’s Management of Social Transformations and Foresight (MOST).
• Excellent coordination, project management and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to participate effectively in high-level negotiations with internal and external partners. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present findings and recommendations on issues clearly and concisely. 

Languages

•    Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and working knowledge of French.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education  

•    Advanced university degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in the field of social sciences, economics, public policy, sociology and related fields with a proven track record of publications relevant for the position.

Work Experience 

• Proven knowledge creation and brokering experience.
• Professional experience in the United Nations system or other multilateral organizations and/or in the field of public policy, international relations, multilateral settings/cooperation and development. 
• International experience and experience with policy at the national level.

Skills and competences  

• Good knowledge and familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the United Nations System. 

Languages

•    Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 121 556 US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

UNESCO’s salaries are calculated in US dollars. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, as well as exchange rates. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance.  More details can be found on the ICSC Website.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.